Dave Bautista lost 34 kg, then reportedly gained 9 kg for God of War
Dave Bautista is getting bigger again, and this time it is for Kratos. The former WWE superstar and Hollywood actor has revealed that he has gained 20 pounds, approximately 9 kg, ahead of his reported role in Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming God of War series. The 57-year-old actor reportedly shared a video on Instagram Stories on November 1, showing his latest physical transformation. He now weighs around 113 kg, having spent the past two months training.
The transformation is particularly interesting considering Bautista spent the last few years losing weight. Once among the biggest men in WWE, the Guardians of the Galaxy actor had deliberately slimmed down to pursue different Hollywood roles. Now, reports linking him to one of gaming’s most recognisable characters have put his physical transformation back in the spotlight.
Dave Bautista is getting bigger again, and Kratos could be the reason |
Why did Dave Bautista lose so much weight?
During his wrestling career, Bautista was known for his enormous physique, weighing around 131 kg at his peak.
He later gained weight for the 2023 film Knock at the Cabin, reaching approximately 143 kg.
In a September 2024 interview with Chris Van Vliet, Bautista explained that he felt uncomfortably heavy and wanted to look more natural alongside other actors.
He subsequently lost roughly 34 kg through changes to his diet and training.
The actor felt his smaller frame helped him take on a wider variety of characters rather than constantly playing intimidating, muscular men.
Why is Bautista playing Kratos in God of War?
Reports in August 2026 claimed that Bautista had been selected to play Kratos after Ryan Hurst suffered a serious bicep injury during production.
According to those reports, Hurst’s recovery threatened to delay filming into 2027, prompting a change in casting.
Bautista reportedly shared his latest transformation with the words, “Gained 20 lbs for GOW,” alongside a weight reading of 250 pounds.
What is the God of War series about?
The upcoming live-action series is based on Sony’s popular God of War video game franchise, particularly the Norse mythology storyline introduced in the 2018 game and continued in God of War Ragnarök.
It follows Kratos, a former Greek god, and his young son Atreus as they travel through a world inspired by Norse mythology.
Their relationship forms the heart of the story, with Kratos struggling to leave behind his violent past.
Amazon has ordered two seasons of the adaptation. The series has yet to receive an official release date.